Latch



Feb. 22, 1938. F. E, GRAY 2,108,965

LATCH Original Filed Feb; 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l 45* M 30 14 a .7 .4 4, i9

' Feb. 22, 1938. E, GRAY 2,108,965

LATCH Original Filed Feb. 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 F. E. GRAY Feb. 22 193g LATCH 5 iSheets-Shet 3 u A w 2 g fi\ b 2 A 4 Z 3 4, 4 l 4. I 8 2 LI v a i 7 4 3 v m. 3 A J "l a Feb. 22, 1938. F. E. GRAY ,108,965

LATCH Original Filed Feb. 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 22, 1938. F, GRAY 2,108,965

' LATCH Original Filed F eb. 19, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 a y I ,Mu,z4.@ I ,Ma.

Patented Feb. 22. 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT O FFICE' 2,1oa,9s

LATCH Floyd E. Gray, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to General Motors Corporation, Dayton, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application February 19, 1934, Serial No. 711,832 Renewed June 4, 1937 This invention relates to refrigerating apparatus and particularly to latches for doors of refrigerator cabinets.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved door latch for refrigerator cabinets which facilitates opening of the food storage compartment door thereof.

Anotherobject of the present invention is to provide an improved latch for doors of refrigerator cabinets which can be unlatched to cause openingof the door by movement of the latch operating handle in any one of a plurality of directions.

Another ob ject of the invention is to provide an improved door latch for refrigerator cabinets which can be unlatched by rotating the operating handle thereof in either a right hand or left hand direction or by pulling or pushing the same and which is also capable of tightly holding the door in abutting relation with the cabinet upon movement of the door in closed position without grasping and tightening the latch handle.

In carrying out-the foregoing objects it is a still further object to provide a refrigerator cabinet door latch having the foregoing mentioned characteristics, which is compact, sturdy, not

likely to get out of order and neat in appearance by virtue of concealing the mechanism thereof.

Further obj sets and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, wherein preferred forms of the present invention are clearly shown.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 discl the improved uses a refrigerator cabinet having latching system of the present invention incorporated therein;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on the line 22 of Fig. l and showing the door in closed position with the latch bolt in engagement with its'keeper;

Fig.- 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view of the latching system taken on line 3-4! of Fig. 2

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view through the latching system and taken on line v 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Fig. 3 showing certain parts of the latching system released door;

Fig. 6 is a to permit opening of the cabinet fragmentary sectional view similar I to Fig. 4 showing the operating arm of the latching system r position;

eciprocated into a latch .releasing latching system shown in Fig. 8 and taken on the line l0-l0 thereof;

Fig. 11 shows the operating arm of the latching system disclosed in Fig. 8 as being pulled outwardly of the doorto permit same to open; and

Fig. 12 shows the operating arm of the latching system disclosed-in Fig. 8 as being pushed inwardly of the door to permit same to open.

Referring to the drawings, I have shown in Fig. 1 thereof, for the purpose of illustrating one form of the present invention, a refrigerator cabinet 20 of the household type; Cabinet 20 includes the usual insulated food storage compartment provided with a door 2| which affords access thereto. Door 2| is pivotally supported or mounted upon the cabinet 20 by hinges 22. The door 2| includes a suitable rim member 24 (see Fig. 2) extending around the edges thereofand adapted to receive the fastening means of a door latching system and of the hinges 22..

The. latching system for maintaining the door 2| in closed position and for causing opening of the door includesa strike plate or keeper 26 secured at the edge of the door frame 21 of the cabinet 20 by screws or other suitable fastening means 28 (see Fig. 2) A latch bolt 23 is mounted in a housing 30, which housing is secured in a cut-out portion provided therefor in rim member 24 by screws or other suitable fastening means 3| (see Fig.3). Latch bolt 29 has a roller 32 secured to the end thereof by a pin 33. Bolt 29 has its end opposite the'roller end hollowed out as at 34 for receiving a coil spring 35 (see Fig. 3). A movable backing member 36 is m'ounted in the aperture or opening '3'! provided in housing for bolt 29. Member 36 includes a cylindrical collar or guiding portion 38 and an abutting portion 39 against which the end of spring bears.

out as at I for receiving a coil spring 42. A plug This member 36 is also hollowed 43 having a button portion 44 formed thereon is soldered or otherwise secured to housing 30 at the end of the opening 31 therein. The button portion 44 of plug 43 serves to hold the spring eater tension than spring 42 and spring thus serves as the holding means for causing bolt 29 to tightly or firmly engage the keeper or strike 26. Housing 36 includes a portion 45 extending from the main body thereof and this portion 45 is provided with a siot'46.; A lever or pawl 41 is located in slot 46 and is fulcrumed or pivotally mounted therein by a pin or shaft 46 secured to the ears formed by a slot 46in the portion 45 of housing 36 .(see Figs. 3 and 5). An operating arm or shaft 5| extends through the portion 45 of housing 36 at right angles to the latch bolt 29. The pawl or lever 41 includes an end or finger portion 52 which is adapted to engage the end of the movable backing member 36 adjacent thecollar portion 36 formed thereon. The other end or finger portion 53 of pawl or lever 41 is adapted to normally engage a flattened portion 54 provided on shaft 5|. A suitable spring suchas a leaf spring 56 has one of its ends soldered or secured in any manner to the portion 45 of housing 36 while its other end extends over and bears against the end or finger portion 53 of lever 41 to thereby force finger 53 into engagement with the flattened portion 54 of shaft 5|. e

As previously. stated, the shaft 5| is disposed at right angles to the bolt 29'and extends outwardly from opposite sides of the housing portion 45. Shaft 5| has a coil spring 6| surrounding same and disposed on one side of the portion 45 of housing 36. A coil spring 62 surrounds the shaft 5| on the opposite side of housing portion 45 (see Figs. 2, 4, and 6). Spring 6| is coiled in an opposite direction from that of spring 62 and each spring has an end 64 secured in an aperture provided in housing portion 45 by soldering or staking the same therein. The ends 65, opposite ends 64, of each spring 6| and 62 are soldered or,

otherwise secured to, shaft 5| (see Figs. 2 and 4) A c-shaped clip 66 is squeezed or pressed into a groove provided on "the one end of shaft 5| and this clip tends to backup and hold spring 6| in position on shaft 5|.. Shaft 5| includes a portion 61 which is slightly enlarged relative to the portion thereof extending through housing 45. The portion 61 of shaft 6| extends outwardly from the latch mechanism and throughany suit-' able bearing member 68 to the exterior. of the door 2| and has an operating handle or knob 69 mounted on the outer end thereof in any suitable manner. The springs 6| and 62 are coiled and secured against. rotation in such manner. that the tension thereof is equalized and therefor tends have shown the latch system as being in a latched position in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. It will also be apparent that shaft 5| may be rotated by handle or knob 69 in either a right hand or left hand direction by virture of its cylindrical form. Shaft 5| may also .be reciprocated in either direction, or, in other words, it may be pushed or pulled inwardly and outwardly of the door 2| by the operating handle or knob 69. It is to be understood that in the present invention the gasket 12 carried by door 2| and which seals the door 2| to the cabinet 26 (see Fig. 2), is preferably of such construction that when the latch mechanism .is released the resiliency of the gasket 12 due to its being under compression forces the door 2| open.

It may, however, be desirable to employ additional means, for moving the .door open upon release of the latching system, such, for example, as springs'which may be disposed in the hinges 22 or spring pressed buttons spaced along the edge of the door frame 21 and adapted to engage the door when the door is in closed position.

Assuming thatthe door 2| is in closed position as shown in Fig. 1, for sealing the opening in the food storage compartment or cabinet 26, the parts of the latching mechanism or system are in the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. In order to release the latching system to open the door 2| the handle or .knob 69 may be reciprocated in either direction for overcoming orreleasing the tension of the compression spring 35 which holds the latch bolt 29 in keeper 26. For example, I

v have shown the shaft 5| as being in a reciprocated or pushed position in Fig. 6 of the drawings. Movement of the shaft 5| in areciprocated position causes the finger 53 to ride out of the flat- Ytened portion 54 and to ride upon the outer circumference of shaft 5|, as shown in Fig. 6, thus causing finger 53 to be elevated. Elevation of finger 53 causes rotation of lever or pawl 41 about its fulcrum 46 and also causes the end of finger portion 52 thereof to move horizontally (see Fig. 1

5). It is to be understood that the operation Just described will also take place upon rotating shaft 5| which rotated position of shaft 5| is shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. However, in

the event of either reciprocating shaft 5|, as

, 35 between backing member 36 and bolt 29, causes the backing member 36 to move inwardly of the to hold the shaft 5| in a neutral-position or in a position so that the flattened portion 54 of shaft 29'; Springs N. and" 62 are'also. constructed and ass'embiedon shaft 5|, tobalansemch other in compression force so as tonormaliy maintain the flattened portion 54 of shaft it in a centralized 6i|. .normally extends parallel with theiatch'boit;

shown in Fig. 6, or of rotating the same as shown in Fig. 5, the horizontal movement of finger 52 causes the lower extremity thereof .to be raised or to move out of alignment with opening 31 and into the slot 46, thus -disengaging the backing member 36. The compression exerted by spring 35 at this time", due to the latch bolt 29 bearing against. keeper26 and compressing the'spring opening 31' in housing 36 to compressspring. .42

as shown in Fig; 5. The'compression of spring 35 having been overcomeorreleased in the man ner described permits the: compression force of position *v'vhereby the flattened portion .54 nor- :mally registerswith the slot 46-andkflnger portion 51 ofiever 41 (see-Fig.4). "Thebodyof-the-latch', f bolt-Wand the-opening}? provideditherefor in" hogging 36 areboth cylindricalin cross-section- Therefore, in order-to prevent Iturning or rotation-i 6 2| outwardly from cabinet 26 and the door frame I 21. The forcefof the light'com'pression spring 42 is suflicient-pto cause movement .of. bolt 26.out-.

wardly of op ning-31' after the door 2| has been 3 opened. Simultaneously with the outward 'moveofiboit 29 in opening 91, provide an elongated.

'. slot in housing 36 (seeFigs. 7i and pass a peg or pin. Hv through this slot and secure the one-end-of-the pegto bolt 2.9.

J '75 i It will be apparent from the drawings that I.

ment of bolt 29 and upon release of the handle "66- by the operator" either of the springs 6| or 62, which has had its tension increased or has been compressed by the releasing operation or movementof shaft 5|, then fmictions to return the operating shaft 5| and its handle to normal "the resilient'gasket 12, or anyother suitable spring meansnotshown but which may be provided asjareviouslyexplaimdtto move the'door position. In other words, since when the door is opened and spring 42 moves bolt 29 outwardly of opening 31 spring 42 also moves the backing member 36 beyond the point where the finger 52 is adapted to extend or protrude into opening 31 to engage member 36. Then upon'movement of shaft 5| and its operating handle 69, by either spring 6| or 62, into normal position, spring 56 causes finger 53 to ride in the flattened portion 54 of shaft 5 I, the lower extremity offinger 52 drops or is forced by spring 56 back into the path of the backing member 36. This position of the mechanism is the same as is shown in Fig. 3 wherein the latching system is shown in latched position relative to the door frame 21. When the door 2| is open and the parts of the mechanism are in the position shown in Fig. 3, his to be understood that the latch bolt 29 extends outwardly from the edge of the door 2| a sumcient distance to engage the lowermost portion 13a of an inclined surface 13 formed on strike 26 (see Fig. 7) upon closing the door. Therefore, when the door is being closed bolt 29 first engages the portion 13a of the strike plate and rides over the inclined surface 13 thereon and into the keeper portion 26. During this closing operation bolt 29 compresses spring 35 against the backing member 36, as shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, due to the backing member being held against movement by finger 52. When the door 2| has been moved into its frame 21 a sufficient distance to substantiallyclose the door opening roller 32 on bolt 29 passes over the highest point 13b of the inclined surface 13 of the strike plate and is forced by spring 35 into engagement with the keeper portion 26 of the strike plate, thus reestablishing the latched position shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive of the drawings in which I have disclosed a modified form of latching system, Fig. 8 is a horizontal sectional view similar to Fig. 2 of the foregoing described latching system. This modified form of latching system includes a strike plate or keeper 15 secured in a hollowed-out portion of the rim member 16 of door 11 by means such as screws 18. Thestrike plate or keeper 15 has two pairs of ears 19 and 8| extending therefrom and supporting levers or pawls 82 and 83 respeetively. A stud 84 is staked or riveted to the lower of the pair of ears 19 and this stud pivotally secures the lever or pawl 82 to these ears. Stud 84 extends upwardly from the top ear of the pair 19 thereof and its extending portion is surrounded by a coil spring 85. Spring 85 has its one end 86 secured in any suitable manner in an opening provided in pawl or lever 82 while its opposite end 81 bears or rests against the inner surface of plate 15. A stud88 is staked or riveted to the upper of the pair of ears 8| and this stud pivotally secures the lever or pawl 83 in fulcrumed relation to these ears. Stud 88 extends downwardly from the bottom ear of the pair 8| thereof and has its extending portion surrounded by a coil spring 89. Spring 89 has its one end 9| secured in an opening provided in pawl or lever 83 while its opposite end 92 bears against the inner surface of plate 15.

19 are disposed at a slightly higher elevation than the pair of ears 8|. It will also be noted that the ends 96 and 91 of levers 82 and 83 respectively are bent away from one another (see Fig. 9). The difference in the elevation of the pair of ears and the bent structure of levers 82 and 83 positions the ends 96 and 91 in spaced apart relation in order to permit the flattened portion I66 of arm or shaft .I6I to extend horizontally between. the ends 96 and '91 of the levers so as to position the levers on opposite sides of the portion I66. The arm or shaft I6| extends outwardly of the lever mechanism to the exterior of door 11 and has an operating handle orknob I63 secured in any suitable manner, to its outer end. In this modified showing the operating arm or shaft I6I is adapted to bereciprocated and it may be made square in cross-section or some other means may be provided to prevent rotation thereof. In the present showing a pin I 64 is secured in any suitable manner to handle or latch bolt is carried by the cabinet frame I65.

It will be noted that a casing I66 is mounted on the edge of the cabinet frame I65 by screws I61 (see Fig. 9) and extends inwardly of the cabinet frame. Casing I66 contains a latch bolt I 68. Bolt I68 includes a nose I69 formed integral with a collar II6 which collar serves to guide the bolt in casing I66. A coil spring I is positioned within the casing I68 between the end wall thereof and the bolt collar I I6. Casing|66 may be constructed of several pieces if desired, in order to permit the assembly of bolt I68 and spring I I I therein. The end portion of bolt I68 opposite the nose end I69 thereof extends through an opening provided in the back wall of thecasing' I66 and has a washer surrounding the same. A

'pin H2 is staked or otherwise secured in an door. Assuming that the door 11 is closed and in latched position as shown in Fig. 8 and it is desired to open same. Handle or knob I 63 may be pushed inwardly of thedoor 11 as shown in Fig. 12 and such operation of the handle or knob causes pin 99, located in slot 98 provided in the end 91 of lever 83, to move lever or pawl 83 about its pivot or fulcrum 88. This movementof lever 83 causes the finger end thereof to move toward the latch bolt I68 and into engagement with the nose I69 thereof. Further movement of the finger end 95, after engaging thebolt nose I6 9, forces the nose I69 out of engagement with the keeper opening provided in strike plate 15. The parts of the mechanism are so designed and arranged relative to one another that, during the operation of forcing bolt I68 out of the keeper opening in plate I5, the camming action inherently occurring by engagement of either finger 94 or 95 with nose I09 of bolt I08 causes an initial movement of the door I1 outwardly of the cabinet as is apparent by reference to the position of the door flange, adjacent the door gasket, relative to the I cabinet as shown in Figs. 11 and 12 as compared to the position thereof shown in Fig. 8. The resiliency of the gasket which seals the door ll to the cabinet or any other suitable spring means (not shown), which may be provided around the cabinet frame or in the door hinges, will then force door 11 into a wide open position. By reference to Fig. 12 it will be noted that the foregoing described operation has also moved lever or pawl 82 away from the latch bolt or inwardly of the door 11. This movement of lever 82, at the time lever 83 moves the bolt I08, has no function whatever in the releasing operation of bolt I08 from its strike or keeper 15. After the door I! has been opened, in the manner just described and the handle or knob of the latching system has been released by the operator, spring 89 then functions, due to its tension being increased by the movement of lever 83, to return lever 83 and arm l0] together with the other parts of the mechanism to a normal position, such as is shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings. The latch bolt I08 is moved outwardly by the compression spring I ll since the door ll has been opened and this bolt is then in a position to engage strike plate 15 and to be forced by the act of closing the door into the keeper opening provided in the plate i5.

Again, assuming that the door 11 is closed and in latched position as shown in Fig. 8 and it is desired to open same. The handle or knob I03 may be pulled outwardly of the door as shown in Fig..

11 of the drawings and such operation causes pin 99, located in slot 98 provided in the end 96 of lever 82, to move lever 82 about its pivot or fulcrum 84. I This movement of lever 82 causes the finger end 94 thereof to move toward the latch bolt I08 and into engagement-with the nose I09 thereof. Further movement of finger end 94 of lever 82, after engaging the bolt nose I09, forces the nose I09 out of engagement with the keeper opening in strike plate 15. The camming action of finger 94 against the bolt I08 again causes an initial movement of door outwardly of the door frame 105 (see Fig. 11). The resiliency of the door gasket or any other suitable spring means as previously explained, will then force the door into a wide open position. This pulled position of the operating arm and the mechanism associated therewith is shown in 'Fig. 11 of the drawings and by reference thereto it will be noted that the latter described operation has also moved lever or' pawl 88 away from the latch bolt or inwardly of the door 11. This movement of lever 83, at the time lever 82 is moved toward the bolt I 08, has no function in the release of bolt I08 from its strike 15 by the pulling operation of arm I0l. After the door ll has been opened, in the manner described, and the handle or knob of the latching system has been released by the operator spring 85 then functions, in the manner previously explained relative to spring 89, to return the latching mechanism to its normal position as 0 shown in Fig. 8. Thus the operating arm of the /modified form of latching system disclosed may be reciprocated in either direction for opening the door 11 or, in other words, this operating arm may be either pushed or pulled as desired.

From the foregoing it is apparent that I have provided an improved latching system for doors of refrigerator cabinets which system need not be actuated upon closing the cabinet door. By providing a system in which the operating handle or arm of the latch mechanism can be moved in any one of aplurality of directions for' opening the cabinet door I have greatly facilitated such opening operation. Thus if the user of the refrigerator cabinet approaches the cabinet with food products in each hand or approaches the cabinet with a large tray, which requires both hands (to carry same, it is not necessary for the user to set the products down prior to opening the refrigerator cabinet door as has heretofore been customary. Under such circumstances the user may merely push on the latch operating handle to open the cabinet door or, if desired and/or if more convenient, the user may pull on the operating handleor turn same in either direction to open the door. In addition to presenting certain advantages over latching systems heretofore commonly employed on refrigerator cabinets my latching systems include improved compact mechanisms which can be readily concealed within the confines of 'a refrigerator cabinet door and which mechanisms are sturdy and not likely to get out of order. A

While the forms of embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed, constitute preferred forms, it is to be understood that other forms might be adopted, all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed isas follows: I

1. A door latch including a bolt, a stiff spring and a weak spring each normally applying force to said bolt for urging the bolt into engagement with a. keeper, means for preventing compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt, said means being arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress said stiff spring while effective for preventing compression of said weak spring, and means for releasing said first named means,

2. A door latch including a bolt, a stiff spring and a weak spring each normally applying force and a weak spring each normally applying force to said bolt for urging the bolt into engagement I with a keeper, means for preventing compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt,

said means being arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress said stiff spring 'while effective for preventing compression of said weak spring, and manually actuable means for releasing said first named means to cause compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt.

4. A door latch including a bolt, a stiff spring, a

a follower, and a weak spring connected together, said follower being located between said weak spring and said stifl spring, said stiff spring being located between said follower and said bolt, said springs normally applying force to said bolt for resiliently urging the bolt toward latching position, means for preventing movement of said follower: and compression of said weak spring by movement of said boltn-said means being ar-' means for releasing said first named means.

5. A door latch including a bolt, a stiif spring, a follower, and a weak spring connected together, said follower being located between said weak spring and said stifi spring, said stiff spring beinglocated between said follower and said bolt,

said springs normally applying force to said bolt for resiliently urging the bolt toward latching position, means for preventing movement of said follower and compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt, said means being arranged to permit compression of said stiif spring by movement of said bolt while being effective for preventing movement of said follower, and manually actuable means for releasing said first named means to cause movement of said follower and compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt.

- 6. A door latch including a bolt, a stiff spring,

a follower, and a weak spring connected together,

said follower being located between said weak spring and said stiff spring, said stiff spring being located between said followerand said bolt, said springs normally applying force to said bolt for resiliently urging the bolt toward latching position, means for preventing movement of said follower and'compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt, said means'being arranged to permit compression of said stiff spring by movement of said bolt while being effective for preventing movement of said follower, means for releasing said'first named means, and means associated with said releasing means and adapted to be reciprocated in either direction or rotated in either direction for actuating said releasing means.

7. A door latch including a bolt, a still spring, a follower, and a weak spring connected together, said follower being located between said weak spring and said stiff spring, said stifl spring being located between said follower and said bolt, sai'd springs normally applying force to said bolt for resiliently urging the bolt toward latching position, means for preventing movement of said follower and compression of said weak spring by v movement of said bolt, said means, being arranged to permit compression of said stiff spring by movement of said bolt while being effective for preventing movement of said follower, and manually actuable means for releasing said first named means to cause movement of said follower and compression of said weak spring by movement of said'bolt, said manually actuable means being adapted to be reciprocated in either direction. or rotated in either direction.

8. A door latch. including a and a weak spring,leach normally applying force to'the bolt for the. bolt into engagement with a keeper,- meansfor; preventing compression of one of said-springs by movement of saidfbolt,

said means beingfarranged. to permit movement of 1 said bolt to thereby-compress; the other-of said springs while effective for preventing compression of said one'icf sai'dsprings, and means for releasing said first named means, said last named means being adapted to be reciprocatedin either direction or rotated in either direction.

bolt, 2. stlfl sprin I 9. A door latch including a bolt, a stiff spring and a weak spring, each normally applying force to said bolt for urging the bolt into engagement with a keeper, means for preventing compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt, said means being arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress said stiif spring while effective for preventing compression of said compression of one of said pair of springs by movement of said bolt, said means being-arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby com- Dress the other of said pair of springs while effective for preventing compression of said one of said pair of springs, means for releasing said first ,named means, and means associated with said releasing means and adapted to be reciprocated in either direction or rotated in either direction for actuating said releasing means.

11. A door latch including a bolt, a still? spring and a weak spring, each normally applying force to the bolt for urging the bolt into engagement with a keeper, means for preventing compression of said weak spring by movement of said bolt, said means being arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress said stiif spring while eife ctive for preventing compression of said weak spring, means for releasing said first named means, and means associated with said releasing means and adapted to be reciprocated in either direction or rotated in either direction for actuating said releasing means.

12. A door latch including a bolt, a pairof springs each cooperating with and normally applyingforce to said bolt for urging the bolt into engagement with a keeper, means for preventing compression of one of said pair of springs by movement of said bolt, said means being arranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress the other ofsaid pair of springs while effective for preventing compression of said one of said pair of springs, means for releasing said first named means, and means associated with said releasing means and adapted to be reciprocated in either direction for actuating said reranged to permit movement of said bolt to thereby compress the other of said pairpf springs while eifective for preventing compressionof said one of said pair of springs, means forireleasing said first named means, and means associated with said releasing means and'adapted'to be rotated in either direction for actuating said releasing means.

' E. gear. 

